Our shakedown cruise hauling a down-sized recreational vehicle has taught me some lessons.
We traded in our 29-foot fifth wheel for a shiny new 21-foot travel trailer. We like the new unit … a lot! Even while struggling just a bit with constrained space in the new trailer, we are committed to it and we believe our scaled-down retirement travel itinerary will suit our new wheeled “digs” just fine.
We hauled it to the Texas Hill Country and found out as we motored down some back-road highways that our truck pulls the travel trailer just as easily as it did the fifth wheel.
Oh, but get a load of this: We ran into a “road closed” blockade along Texas Highway 236 near Foot Hood. We had to back the trailer up and turn it around. We were able to do so with much greater ease than we would have been able to do with a much more cumbersome fifth wheel.
We have what they call a “one-butt kitchen” in our trailer. We have fewer square feet of storage space. We will need to figure out what goes with us on the road and what stays home. The good news for me is that I married to an expert in making these key decisions. Therefore, I will defer to her … mostly.
The even better news is that our retirement journey is still heading for the open road. Just not as lengthy a stretch of road, but we’ll still be venturing our way further into retirement.
High Plains Blogger 
I like it!
A couple of questions.
1. Does that one have the Murphy bed?
2. Does the curved front take away head space or if it has Murphy bed, is that where it’s located?
We have two RV’s. The first one is an older ‘97 diesel pusher, that my wife won’t drive. The other is a 2016 Rockwood 23’ Ultra “something” with two slides.
My wife has been talking about a slightly smaller travel trailer with more of a curved front end for better aerodynamics for fuel mileage. I think the second slide adds to the higher fuel mileage than she likes since it adds at least a thousand pounds by itself. The cost of diesel being what it is, she’s hoping for better mileage.
One problem she may find is that she wants tandem axles. She feels safer pulling a tandem. We bought the travel trailer for when I don’t go to dog shows with her.
We have an actual queen sized bed. We have plenty of head space. It is perfect for the two of us.
I may look at that model. I like the aerodynamic look of it. The location of the outside door looks like that would help on interior space as well.
Thanks!